Skip to main content

XIXI MATURAN : Asia's Hidden Golden Diva

It does sound like a joke. The label is of a level with which only a creative mind can concoct. But . 'Asia's Hidden Golden Diva' was coined by those who have experienced the artistry of Xixi Maturan. Googable and very much into social media, Xixi's alter-ego Paul H Roquia has in almost 25 years indefatigably built an acumen of sorts that involved the rather 'reluctant' vocal stylist in him , developing a musical brew that would perfectly sit on his tenor-ish tone. XIXI MATURAN is not a real person but rather an intriguing character borne out of the hazy, drugged and ambitious energy residue of an artists' group in the 80s.
Naming themselves after the address of the run-down apartment they were holed in, '55D Chicago Productions' was easily a daring team of scriptwriters, production staff, and actors who were directly associated with erotic film maker Tata Esteban [Steve Regala]. While Paul caught the fancy of TV/Film director Boots Plata, he then thought that his name was too 'formal' and lacked some glitter for quick recall. Thus, the name XIXI ; casually pronounced 'zhi'zhi' was adapted from a parrot they got from Palawan but eventually died; and MATURAN, for its musicality and Mr Diomedes' chin-ny similarity to that of Paul's. In the 90s, particularly 1996; the name was synonymous to the avant garde shows of Quezon Avenue's Klub Maginoo, where Xixi conceptualized/directed and performed alongside a class A male dancers for a full year. Paul [or Xixi, as he already being addressed as], also did radio and acted on films and tv. When his father died the next year, he decided to pack his things and thoughts and decided to keep his brother company in Los Banos, Laguna where he simply took the homemakers role which he actually enjoyed. Every now and then he would be offered to do some shows but later he totally shunned the idea of commuting since he already felt the coziness of his home and did not consider living in the big city again. His brother, who was also gay ; made sure that whatever he earned doing the rounds of showbiz and the club circuit among other odd entertainment gigs was properly allotted for him according to his needs. For several years, XIXI MATURAN simply became an afterthought. Losing touch with friends accentuated a simulated reclusion that he was enjoying. Then, sometime in 2008; he became a contestant to Deal or No Deal; then a stint with a local call center . He also became a blogger during its infancy and his ALIWAN AVENUE became an instant hit among showbiz enthusiasts since the site supported indie film productions and actors. It was through his blog that he became chummy with indie film makers as he was often invited to attend presscons and premiere nights. When Archie del Mundo did his first directorial job, he gave Xixi an intriguing cameo that to this day is remembered by those who have watched 'TAKSIKAB'. After that, his renewed friendship with Neal 'Buboy' Tan [ with whom he did a film with in the 90s, that of Glydel Mercado's " Ambisyosa" ] gave him enticing roles in three of Tan's indie outings, namely: 'PRIVATE NIGHTS' ; 'I LUV U PARE KO' and the soon to be shown 'HOMELESS'. He also did another film with del Mundo, 'ANG MISIS NI MEYOR' ; with Sigfried Barros-Sanchez in 'MGA KIDNAPER NI RONNIE LAZARO'. The vocal stylist in Xixi reignited in 2011, when he met Marius Violago , owner of 'THE SHELTER BAR' in Tagaytay City . His 'UNVALENTINE ME XIXI MATURAN' had an almost yearly run in Marius' M SPA&CAFE , this time in Silang Cavite. Doing the videoke gig soon became a band back up and now; original orchestrations of choiced torched songs lends a more sophisticated feel to his vocal styling. Oh, yes. Xixi is comfortable being referred to as a 'he' although he is fully made up and transgenderized on his shows. He also stresses the fact that he is NOT a stand up comedian but rather a performer who transcends every song that he interprets. https://youtu.be/4wnUwoy-3ps

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

THIRD WORLD LIVING ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS

Frankly , I haven't heard of her before the story conference of Howard Yambao's BEST. PARTEE. EVER, entry to last year's QC INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL starring JC De Vera.  JC played a straight-acting gay man caught in nasty broil of Ecstasy addiction and trade.  The film was shot almost in its entirety in the confines of provincial jail where I played a hot headed old fag jailbird. At the conference, as we were introduced, she caught my attention.  Well-made up and in a cocktail dress she amiably smiled at everyone , her name: CATALEYA SURIO.  As we were given a rundown of role assignments, I realized that she was playing a transwoman in for some crime and detained in the male cell.  This was because in the Philippines, a sexually re-assigned is still recognized with what is on one's birth certificate.  Ah, alright. "As far as I remember, I was ALWAYS a girl", Cataleya nonchalantly declares in our online interview.  Orphaned at a very young age, She

ON THE SET : Joel Lamangan's 'BES & THE BESHIES' , COMING VERY SOON!

Seven months after shooting Howard Yambao's BEST. PARTEE. EVER. in a slammer in Pampanga; I get to once again be part of a film starring THE COMEDY QUEEN herself, Ms. AIAI DELAS ALAS , with The Joel Lamangan no less at the helm.  A cameo is always welcome; it is a short appearance, with minimal exposure requirements and I get to just be myself or as to how I deem the role should be carried out with.  I play a parlorista who rages on another parlorista [played by Byuti Veloso] ; who I share a chin prominence making us look like twins!  Ms. Aiai's character, a Barangay Kagawad and sort of a 'jane of all trades' pacifies us.  We shot in Proj6, Quezon City and it was a breezy day which made it quite comfortable.  That was on April 2.  I never expected that suddenly I would be called back to do more appearances ; delighted and totally flattered who was I not to oblige? I did three more scenes; two of which were highlights of the hilariously riotous opus that cel